Growing Parsnips

Growing Parsnips

Parsnips are easy to grow. Even easier than their cousin carrots. They just take a long time to grow like onions. They can take from 120-180 days. But worth the wait. 

Most seeds you can save for years and they'll grow. But with Parsnips, you want to ALWAYS SOW FRESH SEEDS. The fresher the better. Seeds have to be purchased every spring. Any left over will not be viable next spring. 
Parsnip seeds need a minimum of 8°C (46°F) to germinate, but even at this temperature they are liable may rot before they’ve had a chance to sprout. Try waiting until soil have reached a steady 10-12°C (50-54°F) when the time for the seedlings to push through is dramatically reduced. 

Loosen the soil to a depth of 12-15 inches and mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost. Sow 2 seeds per inch ½ an inch deep. Seedlings will emerge in 2-3 weeks. Thin the seedlings to about 3-6 inches apart.

After 120 to 180 days, you’ll know when to harvest parsnips because the leafy tops reach to 3 feet tall. Harvest parsnips throughout the row and leave others to mature. Parsnips keep well when stored at 32 F. (0 C.). You can also leave some of the parsnips in the ground until spring; just throw a few inches of soil over your first fall crop of parsnips to insulate the roots for the coming winter. When to harvest parsnips in the spring is right after the thaw. The parsnips will be even sweeter than the fall harvest.

After 120 to 180 days, you’ll know when to harvest parsnips because the leafy tops reach to 3 feet tall. Harvest parsnips throughout the row and leave others to mature. Parsnips keep well when stored at 32 F. (0 C.). You can also leave some of the parsnips in the ground until spring; just throw a few inches of soil over your first fall crop of parsnips to insulate the roots for the coming winter. When to harvest parsnips in the spring is right after the thaw. The parsnips will be even sweeter than the fall harvest.

After 120 to 180 days, you’ll know when to harvest parsnips because the leafy tops reach to 3 feet tall. Harvest parsnips throughout the row and leave others to mature. Parsnips keep well when stored at 32 F. (0 C.).

You can also leave some of the parsnips in the ground until spring; just throw a few inches of soil over your first fall crop of parsnips to insulate the roots for the coming winter. When to harvest parsnips in the spring is right after the thaw. The parsnips will be even sweeter than the fall harvest.